Why hasn't Andy spoken with Rob's parents since Christmas?

Why hasn't Andy spoken with Rob's parents since Christmas?

• A. They moved away
• B. He thinks they hate him for killing Rob
• C. They won't answer the phone
• D. He is busy with school

Answer: (B)

The main idea being assessed is understanding why a character acts the way he does based on his feelings and beliefs. Andy hasn’t spoken with Rob’s parents since Christmas because he thinks they hate him for killing Rob. That belief comes from his overwhelming guilt and fear of their anger and judgment. He feels responsible for Rob’s death and imagines their blame, so he avoids contact to protect himself from a painful confrontation and to dodge accountability. The other options don’t fit the storyline as well, since there’s no clear evidence in the text that the family moved away, that they’re deliberately avoiding his calls, or that his school schedule is the reason. The pull of guilt and the fear of rejection explain his withdrawal more convincingly.

The main idea being assessed is understanding why a character acts the way he does based on his feelings and beliefs. Andy hasn’t spoken with Rob’s parents since Christmas because he thinks they hate him for killing Rob. That belief comes from his overwhelming guilt and fear of their anger and judgment. He feels responsible for Rob’s death and imagines their blame, so he avoids contact to protect himself from a painful confrontation and to dodge accountability. The other options don’t fit the storyline as well, since there’s no clear evidence in the text that the family moved away, that they’re deliberately avoiding his calls, or that his school schedule is the reason. The pull of guilt and the fear of rejection explain his withdrawal more convincingly.